Petroleum
NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC, POPULAR AND WEIRD / woody · rich · metallic
Petroleum
| Category | NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC, POPULAR AND WEIRD |
| Subcategory | woody · rich · metallic |
| Origin | |
| Volatility | Base Note |
| Botanical | N/A — fossil hydrocarbon mixture |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow volatile liquid (petroleum ether fraction) |
| Odor Strength | Medium |
| Producing Countries | Russia, Saudi Arabia, United States |
| Pyramid | Base |
Crude oil's lighter fractions. Sweet, slightly nauseating, unmistakable -- the smell of energy and civilization's engine.
Scent
Evolution over time
Immediately
Immediately
Crude oil's lighter fractions
After a few hours
After a few hours
Developing character and warmth
After a few days
After a few days
Subtle residual trace
The Full Story
Did You Know?
Did you know?
Used in conceptual and anti-perfume compositions alongside gasoline, rubber, and asphalt to explore industrial olfaction.
Extraction & Chemistry
Extraction method: Not a naturally extracted material. The note is a perfumery reconstruction or concept accord.
| Molecular Formula | Complex hydrocarbon mixture (CₙH₂ₙ₊₂ alkanes, cycloalkanes, aromatics) |
| CAS Number | 8002-05-9 |
| Botanical Name | N/A — fossil hydrocarbon mixture |
| IFRA Status | No known restrictions |
| Synonyms | crude oil, mineral oil, petroleum distillates |
| Physical Properties | |
| Odor Strength | Medium |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow volatile liquid (petroleum ether fraction) |
| Boiling Point | 25.00 to 105.00 °C. @ 0.00 mm Hg |
| Flash Point | -57.00 °F. TCC ( -49.44 °C. ) |
| Specific Gravity | 0.64000 @ 25.00 °C. |
| Melting Point | 5.50 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg (est) |
In Perfumery
Petroleum functions as a concept or fantasy note in modern fragrance compositions. Not derived from a single natural extraction; the impression is built from multiple materials.
